A Beacon School's Cola comes from the New York pop scene, with tags that point toward dream pop and a taste for songs that build in broad swells. There isn't enough detail here to pin down the instruments or production, but the 11-song tracklist suggests a full, album-minded listen rather than a short sketchbook. “Algernon,” “Heat Wave,” “Hum,” and “Ash” give it a shape that moves from quick, clipped titles to more open-ended ones, while “I Don’t Believe It” and “Stay Away” add a little tension to the sequence.
The album first appeared digitally in March 2018, then returned as a vinyl LP in June 2019 with three tracks from the same sessions added to the original release. Those additions are “Glue,” “Cut Thru,” and “Fade In Nylon,” so the vinyl edition is the one to look for if you want the expanded version. A Beacon School has been active since 2012, and Cola should appeal to anyone drawn to New York indie pop with a dreamy edge, especially listeners who like hearing an album take its time across a full set. Paid downloads include MP3 320, FLAC 16/44, ALAC, WAV, and AIFF.
